Russian Revolution

Marxists Revolutionaries Split

Apr 16, 1903

Marxists revolutionaries disagree over revoluionary tactics. The more radical Bolsheviks are ready to risk everything. The charismatic Vladimir Lenin becomes the leader.

Russia Crisis

Feb 16, 1904

Russia faced a series of crises. These events showed the Czar's weakness and paved the way for revolution.

St. Petersburg

Jan 16, 1905

200,000 workers and their families approached the Czar's winter palace in St. Petersburg. They carried a petition asking for better working conditions, more personal freedom, and an elected national legislature. The soliders shot fire into the crowds of people. (¨Bloody Sunday¨)

The First Duma

May 16, 1906

The first Duma met in May, 1906. Its leaders were moderates who wanted Russia to become a constitutional monarchy similar to Britain. He was hesitant to share his power, which caused the Czar to dissolve the Duma after ten weeks.

World War I

Aug 16, 1914

Nicholas II made the decision to drag Russia into World War I. Russia was unprepared to fight in the war, causing defeat after defeat.

Women Texitle Workers

Mar 16, 1917

Women textile workers in Petrograd led a citywide strike. In the next five days, riots flared up over shortages of bread and fuel. 200,000 workers swarmed the streets, soliders later siding with the workers.

Government

Nov 16, 1917

Armed factory workers stormed the winter palace in Petrograd. Red guards overthrew the provisional government.

Brest- Litovsk

Mar 17, 1918

Russia and Germany signed the treaty of Brest- Litovsk. Russia surrendered a large part of its territory to Germany and its allies. Terms of this treaty triggered widespread anger among russians.

The Civil War

Oct 17, 1920

The Civil War raged in Russia. Several western nations including U.S, sent military aid and forces to Russia to help the White army, but was little of help.

The New Economic Policy

Mar 17, 1921

Lenin resorted to a small scale version of capitalism called NEP. The reforms under the NEP allowed peasants to sell their surplus crops instead of turning them over to the government.

Lenin

Dec 17, 1922

To keep nationalism in check, Lenin organized Russia into several self- governing republics under the central government. In 1922, the country was named the U.S.S.R in honor of the councils that helped launch the Bolshevik revolution.